[inkblot]

I love it! I started sending out "spam" to several agencies today about my new website and I just got a reply back--someone is interested in possibly making a donation to my site! I wasn't even really seeking donations--just the publicity!

The guy brought up a point about my name on the website--"Pads Chicago"--and if I have permission to use the name Pads. The way I see it is that I was going by the generalization of the actual pads on floor that the homeless sleep on, not PADS, the official acronym for the shelter system Public Action to Deliver Shelter. I don't think it's copyrighted or anything, but I really don't know for sure. I suppose I should look into it and maybe check with a lawyer or something?

The other thing this brings up is to possibly make myself/site an actual charitable 501 c3 organization. Does anyone know if this is easy or costs to apply for it, how its done? I know, probably another issue to discuss with a lawyer.

Which brings up another item. Anybody know a good lawyer?! LOL!

[DocJohn]

Congrats!!

Sadly, your name is similarly confusing enough to another Chicago entity that is in a similar area of interest that they could someday file a lawsuit against you to stop you from using that name. A name doesn't have to be trademarked in order for such a lawsuit to be filed.

501(c)3 corps are a fair amount of work to get filed, up and running properly, so you would definitely need to find someone willing to do it pro bono. Sorry, don't know of anyone to help.

It doesn't stop people from being able to donate to you, they just claim the tax right off associated with the donation.

DocJohn

[Perna]

There's add-on stuff that is affiliated to PADS but separate http://www.padstohope.org/

The President of the Board of Directors of Southwest Chicago PADS has his own large law firm :-) http://www.swchicagopads.org/who.htm

I'd write him directly and see if he/they won't sponsor you! It's a great idea to have a "voice of the community". But that way they'd okay your name, etc. If nothing else, he'd be aware of you and impressed :-) and maybe make it okay to use your name and refer you, etc. It's a wonderful idea!

[inkblot]

I just talked to someone and he knows a couple lawyers--he said that may talk to them for me and see if he can find out anything. Gosh I am so excited! Talk about a mood booster!!! To know that an actual philanthropist thinks my website is good!!!! Wow!!! This really is exciting!

For now I am going to add a blurb on my site and blog that it is a personal website and not in any way affiliated with PADS. I also already have on the PayPal donations page that any contribution is not a tax-deductible donation, but I'll probably try to make it stand out a little more as well. It may help for me to publicize my name to show that I am an individual as well. I don't know about doing that yet.

[inkblot]

Update: I need to become a real tax deductible charity. If not for that, I think this guy would donate. Even though I won't be getting a donation from this person, just knowing that a philanthropist thought my website was worthy enough to be interested in possibly giving a donation says ALOT! I have this feeling that maybe I really can do something--maybe I CAN make a difference!

I "reserved" time to meet with someone at a local church on March 21st. This church does a lot for the homeless, including serving a hot breakfast and lunch every Saturday during the year with an optional religious service between. They pick up people from the train station (the homeless hang out, LOL) in a van and drop people off again when it is over. Sometimes they even make special drop off points if a person requests. Anyway, I plan to talk to the guy in charge of that program there about my ideas with the website and my life.

One thing in particular is I'd like to organize a "Help Fair" for the homeless and anyone in need. I was thinking to invite agencies and organizations that provide transitional housing; mental health, medical, dental, and women's health services; education services; job services and the IETC; and others which we may be able to use. I figure that way there is NO excuse for anybody to not apply for something if we can get all of these places together in one place. We've all been to job fairs and know how convenient it is. We should be able to have something like it for homeless people to apply for housing programs and things too.

I am really starting to come up with ideas. It's getting exciting to think that I could make a difference! I am looking at stats for my website and blog and word seems to be getting out--people are actually searching for site-specifc terms to my site! Its really cool to see it all! I'm feeling really good about this!